[Deb123j]

DH was dx'd w/ meniere's about 2 years ago and life has been horrible ever since. We never know when he's going to have a bad attack.
I was sooo wanting him to take the baby (1 yr old) when he got home from work today, so I could finish making dinner. As soon as he got out of the car I could tell something was wrong. He couldn't even turn his head b/c he felt so dizzy! So he went to lay down and didn't get up until 9:15. I feel sooo bad for him, especially since there isn't anything that I can do for him.
Anybody have any suggestions? He's already on an extremely low Na+ diet, takes a diuretic and valium. He won't do any of the surgeries b/c of the chance of going deaf...and then the disease spreading to the other ear. This is such a horrible disease!!!!!

[jojotoo]

This sounds pretty tough to live with. But just a question - if he never knows when he's going to have an episode, why is he driving?

[woody62]

My Dad suffered an episode so bad, I called 911. I thought he was having an M.I. because he presented all the classic signs of one. The paramedics, who responded, thought he was suffering one as well, as did the ER doctor that admitted him to ICU. It wasn't until twenty-four hours later that everyone realized he was suffering from Meniere's Disease. My Dad was put on medication and never suffered another episode. But the one he did was enough to put the fear of God into me, my mother and my daughter.

Woody

[oramar]

I have a relative that is having similar problem. Shortly after her first child was born her hubby was diagnosed with MS. His first year with the disease has not been an easy one. Her experiences as a new mom and a new family have not been what she expected. It is rough, there is nothing you can do but hang in there. Make sure he is getting the best possible care. As we all know denial is first reaction to illness and sometimes reluctance to take the best treatment is a symptom of that denial. Good luck to the three of you.

[Deb123j]

Even though he doesn't know when he's going to have an attack...he can tell the pre-attack signs. He shouldn't have driven yesterday (in my opinion) but he said that if he felt really bad he would have pulled over. He actually had to have a co-worker drive him home once b/c it was so bad. The prognosis of this disease is that he will have to go on full-time disability d/t the unpredictability of the attacks. We're hoping that is still a long way off for him!

[Deb123j]

It's tough being newly weds (he was dx about 5 months after we got married) and one of the spouses being dx'd with a disease! I truely feel for your relative! Your life go into a direction you were totally not planning on. I guess that's life though!

[NurseBill]

I have the disease in both ears. It really does suck. I have had two surgeries, they worked great at first, but eventually it comes back. I am now mostly deaf in one ear (not from the surgery). The valium and diuretics left me listless and unmotivated so I don't take them.
I have heard that Medtronic has a new device called the Menet (not sure about spelling) it is basically a tube in the ear that you can periodically blow air into, it somehow works, or so the brochures say. I feel for you, it's a vile condition. I can't do caffeine, eat chocolate, drink alcohol, must get plenty of rest, and even then you can still get attacks. Your spouse is no doubt frustrated and probably at times feels hopeless, when you are having a full blown attack you are helpless and MUST lay down. There are some good Inner Ear specialists out there, but there are also some really bad ones (I know I was charge nurse on an EENT Surgical Unit.)
Hang in there!
Nurse Bill

[Deb123j]

Thanks so much for your reply!!! I'm sorry you have it too. Anytime my husband is feeling bad, I insist that he go lay down. I don't want him to feel pressured to stay up and help me with the baby and dinner. It's very frustrating for me, but I really try to not let it show!!! I know that it really frustrates him also, he's used to working in the yard and being very active, he used to run marathons. I feel so bad for him and wish there was something that I could do.
He went to on ENT and I didn't think the guy was too nifty. I went to one visit and he was very hurried and didn't like all of my questions. Really irritated me!!! So hubby went to another one, he doesn't seem much better. But he did start him on valium. Hubby will take 1/4, 1/2, 1 pill, depending on how he's feeling.